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   http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/?issue=2015-11-18   
      
   The ARRL Contest Update   
      
   November 18, 2015   
   Editor: Brian Moran, N9ADG   
      
   IN THIS ISSUE   
    *  ARRL Phone Sweepstakes   
    *  CQWW CW   
    *  Alfa Spid authorizes US Service   
    *  Intel 4004 turns 44   
    *  ARRL SCR and FMT, CQWW SSB   
    *  Electronic References   
    *  Tech Website of the week   
    *  Old and New Frontiers   
      
      
   NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO   
      
   "The ARRL Sweepstakes Phone contest will be underway this weekend. If you are   
   new to Sweepstakes (SS), you will quickly discover it is a terrific   
   opportunity to work stations all over the US and Canada (including territories   
   and possessions.) It doesn't require a huge station either - 100 watts and   
   simple antennas will do a great job. Check out the ARRL November Sweepstakes   
   webpage for the rules and some operating tips. Work at least 100 stations and   
   you can get one of the popular Participation Pins for 2015. An even bigger   
   challenge: Make contact with each of the 83 section multipliers and qualify   
   for a 2015 Clean Sweep Mug.   
      
   Try to get 'in the rhythm' with the lengthy Sweeps exchange. Write out the   
   format on a card to help you remember the correct order of information. Don't   
   forget that your callsign should be included as part of the exchange - and   
   please use standard phonetics. Take a breath, then say it clearly and smoothly   
   - once is usually enough - no need for "please copy" or "you are", just give   
   the exchange. So jump in, make some QSOs, and share in the fun of the oldest   
   domestic contests."   
      
   -- Larry, K5OT, Sweepstakes contest manager   
      
      
   BULLETINS   
      
   Another new contest! In the new UK/EI DX Contest, United Kingdom and Ireland   
   Amateurs are "home" while the rest of the world is "DX." The SSB side of the   
   event occurs on December 5-6, 2015, and CW is January 23-24, 2016. Just for   
   2015 and 2016, all contest entrants work all other entrants for QSO points and   
   multipliers. This should be a fun contest! Logs are due just TWO HOURS after   
   the contest end!   
      
   CONTEST SUMMARY   
      
   Complete information for all contests follows the Conversation section   
      
   November 19   
      
    *  CWops Mini-CWT Test   
    *  NAQCC CW Sprint   
      
   November 20   
      
    *  NCCC RTTY Sprint   
    *  QRP Fox Hunt   
    *  NCCC Sprint   
    *  YO International PSK31 Contest   
      
   November 21   
      
    *  ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, SSB   
    *  SARL Field Day Contest   
    *  LZ DX Contest   
    *  All Austrian 160-Meter Contest   
    *  Feld Hell Sprint   
    *  NA Collegiate ARC Championship, SSB   
    *  RSGB 2nd 1.8 MHz Contest, CW   
      
   November 25   
      
    *  SKCC Sprint   
    *  Phone Fray   
    *  CWops Mini-CWT Test   
    *  UKEICC 80m Contest   
      
   November 26   
      
    *  CWops Mini-CWT Test   
    *  RSGB 80m Club Sprint, CW   
      
   November 27   
      
    *  NCCC RTTY Sprint   
    *  NCCC Sprint   
      
   November 28   
      
    *  ARRL EME Contest   
    *  CQ Worldwide DX Contest, CW   
      
   December 2   
      
    *  QRP Fox Hunt   
    *  CWops Mini-CWT Test   
      
      
   NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST   
      
   Alfa Radio, makers of the AlfaSpid antenna rotator line, has appointed Hector   
   Garcia authorized AlfaSpid service representative for the USA, effective   
   immediately.   
      
   APRS uses 2-meter frequencies to report location information. Transmissions   
   are opportunistically received by listening stations, and can be combined with   
   data from other receivers or information sources to provide maps showing   
   autos, boats, etc. Whales are tracked via satellite when they are wintering   
   off the west coast of the US . The transmitters are constructed to stay   
   attached to a whale for a few months and provide location information by   
   uplink of data through weather satellites. (AD7DR via PNWVHFS mailing list)   
      
   There is more evidence that the "impossible" EmDrive spacecraft propulsion   
   system actually works . Microwaves generated in a EmDrive motor's cavity are   
   somehow generating very small accelerations in careful experiments. One theory   
   on how it works involves a quantum plasma effect.   
      
   The FCC continues to aggressively investigate cases of WiFi blocking, this   
   time with a focus on convention centers. In the FCC's own media release, it   
   cites violations of Section 333 of the Communications Act by causing malicious   
   interference to lawful WiFi hotspots.   
      
   Various laboratory and production facilities used for the Manhattan Project   
   will be given a National Historic Park designation. These will qualify for the   
   ARRL NPOTA activity (see #79 on the list)!   
      
   Something old, something new: 630 Meters (472 - 479 kHz) was alive with   
   activity last weekend, as some amateurs in Canada used their relatively new   
   privileges on the band to make cross-band contacts with US amateurs, and US   
   experimental stations were providing MWL (Medium Wave Listener) opportunities.   
   In a typical instance, a VE would transmit on 630 meters, and listen on 80   
   meters; the US ham would listen on 630 meters, and transmit on 80 meters. Some   
   US amateurs have been operating under an experimental authorization, however   
   that authorization does not strictly permit cross-band contacts. VE7SL   
   described some of the activity on his blog, and notes that operation on these   
   bands could be within the reach of most amateurs.   
      
   In the early days of radio, 500 kHz could be used by 'amateurs' (and everyone   
   else), but in 1912 non-commercial users of radio waves were restricted to   
   frequencies at 200 meters and above. Over a dozen countries have approved   
   Amateur Radio activity on 630 meters. US hams await the FCC's finalization of   
   rules for operation on this band .   
      
   Stay tuned for announcements of another 630-meter operating event in January   
   or February 2016.   
      
   Some rigs already have 630 meter receive capability; some may even have   
   transmit capability with a new firmware load, and perhaps additional   
   filtering. If you want to listen on 630 meters now, Eric, NO3M, listed a   
   number of upconverters in a message to the TopBand mailing list .   
      
      
   WORD TO THE WISE - "Octopus"   
      
   Synonym for lockout, an octopus is a device that enforces a contest rule   
   pertinent to multi-transmitter operation, usually to prevent two or more   
   transmitters from transmitting simultaneously. It usually involves wires   
   running to the transmitters involved, and so appears to have tentacles into   
   each operating position.   
      
      
   SIGHTS AND SOUNDS   
      
   The Intel 4004 processor was released 44 years ago last week : November 15,   
   1971. As the first commercially available microprocessor, it wasn't clear to   
   the marketing folks at the time that it was a viable product. With over 2000   
   transistors, it was the first chip to incorporate on one die everything needed   
   to be a general purpose CPU (Central Processing Unit).   
      
   Boston's Computer History Museum recorded a number of lectures by computing   
   industry pioneers, starting in 1979. It's now releasing them via their web   
   site and YouTube. Some of these describe very early computing work - akin to   
   how we as radio amateurs might view dynamos and spark gaps as they apply to   
   modern communications techniques.   
      
      
   RESULTS AND RECORDS   
      
   Preliminary results for the ARRL October School Club Roundup have been posted.   
      
   The November ARRL Frequency Measuring Test results are now available.   
   Top-billing goes to twenty-six stations which were able to determine each of   
   three frequencies on 40m, 80m, and 160m with less than a single-Hertz of error.   
      
   "Special thanks to WA7BNM for developing and hosting both web sites on behalf   
   of the ARRL, FMT management team led by K5CM, and LIMARC (SCR sponsor). " -   
   Ward, N0AX   
      
   Randy, K5ZD, Director of the CQ WW DX Contest: "Just 8.5 days after the end of   
   the 2015 CQ WW DX Contest Phone, I am happy to report that the raw scores for   
   all entries received by 3Nov2015 1830z are available on the web site. The raw   
   scores are the calculated score before any log checking or other adjustments   
   are made. These scores may not match what you submitted exactly as our country   
   file may be different than yours and you may have some QSOs where the   
   call/country could not be determined. These are NOT the final results. Scores   
   may change by 5-10% (or more) depending on the log checking. Final results   
   will appear in the March 2016 issue of CQ Magazine. "   
      
   The complete results for the PreStew (Preliminary Stew Perry) Contest are   
   available . Top spots went to KV4FZ, NO3M, K9JWV, LY7M, PA0O, and OL1A in   
   their respective entry categories. As usual, the results announcement is   
   humorous and informative. The Stew Perry Top Band Distance Challenge is   
   December 26-27, 2015.   
      
   Results for DX entries to the 2015 ARI International DX Contest have been   
   published. The contest period was May 2-3, 2015.   
      
      
   OPERATING TIP   
      
   Work Duplicates. It's less disruptive to the rhythm of your run. It could be   
   faster and less confusing than sending "WRK B4". In this era of computer   
   logging, the caller must not have you in their log, so it's in your interest   
   to have the Q, too. This operating tip was given earlier this year, so it   
   itself is a duplicate. Or is it?   
      
      
   TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION   
      
   When I was getting some equipment ready for Sweepstakes, I needed to use the   
   handshaking lines on nine-pin serial connector. Web sites like w   
   w.hardwarebook.info, pinouts.ru , allpinouts.org, and others provide a ready   
   reference for all sorts of connectors and signals that you might encounter.   
      
   Steve, N2IC submits: "I noticed your link to a DIY TDR article. One thing not   
   included in the article is how to make your own pulse generator. I have been   
   using the circuit from this article for many years. (It's) simple and   
   inexpensive to build. It doesn't generate the most perfect square pulse, but   
   it lets me quickly look for faults, such as coax cable damage. Sadly, I have   
   learned how easy it is to damage 1/2" Heliax!"   
      
   "This Instructables includes a very useful collection of Color Codes for   
   Resistors, Capacitors, ... ICs . Handy reference. " - Frank K5HS   
      
      
   A troubleshooting tip from Doug, K1DG:   
      
   "Since we are entering low-band season in the Northern Hemisphere, lots of new   
   boxes are being installed for specialized receiving antennas.   
      
   I was trying to find the break in the coax to the feedpoint box for my   
   two-wire reversible Beverage system using some resistors and an antenna   
   analyzer in the "Distance to Fault" mode. After a few connector replacements,   
   I found that the system worked in one direction but would not switch   
   directions (the relay voltage is sent down the same feedline). It turned out   
   that the braid on the RG6 had corroded at the point where I had installed a   
   new connector and the resulting voltage drop was sufficient to prevent the   
   relay from switching. Cutting off a foot or so of coax and installing another   
   new connector fixed that problem. The system switched direction as expected.   
   It was possible on the AM broadcast band to switch between two stations on the   
   same frequency and copy either one.   
      
   However, when I tested the feedline from the shack end to make future   
   troubleshooting easier, the resistance read open-circuit. How could that be?   
   The system was working perfectly! It turned out that there is apparently a   
   diode in series with the relay coil in the box, and reversing the ohmmeter   
   leads produced the expected reading.   
      
   Lesson: when measuring resistance of cables to remote boxes, try swapping the   
   meter leads in case there is a diode in the box!"   
      
   Researchers find that an electrically driven shock wave can be used to   
   desalinate water. A gradient of salinity can be induced across a cross-section   
   of flowing water, and then a simple mechanical divider can be used to separate   
   the streams.   
      
   "Using FM to Improve WiFi Networks:" Researchers demonstrated the use of   
   non-WiFi frequencies to coordinate between geographically adjacent access   
   points to maximize throughput .   
      
   Check that connector before forcing it in! Learn from my recent experience   
   that if a connector isn't connecting easily, make sure that the male and   
   female are of the same type. While building a cable to interface a bandpass   
   filter to a Yaesu rig, I encountered an 8-pin socket connector that didn't   
   match the 8-pin plug, despite being visually similar. Too much enthusiasm on   
   my part could have damaged a very expensive radio.   
      
   Technical Web Site of the Week - http://amasci.com/amateur/transis.html   
      
   This article explains P-N transistor operation by focusing on depletion   
   regions. If you'd like to do a little experimenting with constructing your own   
   transistors, towards the end of this article on how transistors work,   
   suggestions are made on possible fabrication methods using a galena crystal   
   and "cat whiskers", germanium diodes, or the (larger) dies of older audio   
   power transistors.   
      
      
   CONVERSATION   
      
   Old and New Frontiers   
      
   Licensed amateurs in the US may shortly have access to the 630-meter and   
   2200-meter bands. While it will be "new" to today's hams, these frequencies   
   are closer to where radio started at the beginning of the last century. We'll   
   be re-acquainting ourselves with the physical and propagation phenomena that   
   the pioneers of radio encountered, though we'll have the benefit of modern   
   measurement techniques, off-the-shelf parts, over 100 years of technical   
   expertise to draw upon to generate and detect radio signals, and a global   
   network to support real-time experimentation. It may still be difficult to   
   make trans-oceanic contacts on these bands, which should make the   
   communication achievements of the early experimenters and inventors all the   
   more impressive.   
      
   When today's researchers are able to entangle photons and demonstrate   
   action-at-a-distance quantum effects, it doesn't seem related to what we enjoy   
   as our radio hobby, but fundamentally, it's still communication. A better   
   understanding of how matter and energy really interact, or perhaps   
   statistically interact, may lead to new electronic devices, to new ways we can   
   convey information and transform energy.   
      
   Today's researchers use lasers, optics, precise manipulation of particle and   
   wave properties, and so on; "unconventional kit" to us today, but in how many   
   years will we radio experimenters and hobbyists be able to experiment with new   
   electronic devices that take advantage of some of the 'stranger' quantum   
   effects to help us play radio better?   
      
   In a decade or ten, perhaps we'll be talking about the new Mars multipliers,   
   or how some of our superposed packets just won't resolve. Looking back on   
   today's practices, hams of the future may well consider how odd it was that   
   radio contests had fixed durations, that log data wasn't entirely checked   
   against all other entries, that it could take a few months before contest   
   results were determined, that you were generally only in one contest at a   
   time, and how many of technologies that they use in the casual pursuit of   
   their hobby weren't considered 'radio' in 2015.   
      
   73, Brian N9ADG   
      
      
   CONTESTS   
      
   19 Nov - 2 Dec 2015   
      
   An expanded, downloadable version of QST's Contest Corral in PDF format is   
   available. Check the sponsor's Web site for information on operating time   
   restrictions and other instructions.   
      
   HF CONTESTS   
      
   CWops Mini-CWT Test , Nov 18, 1300z to Nov 18, 1400z, Nov 18, 1900z to Nov 18,   
   2000z, Nov 19, 0300z to Nov 19, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m;   
   Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs   
   due: November 21.   
      
   NAQCC CW Sprint , Nov 19, 0130z to Nov 19, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20m; RST   
   + (state/province/country) + (NAQCC No./power); Logs due: November 22.   
      
   NCCC RTTY Sprint , Nov 20, 0145z to Nov 20, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules);   
   Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: November 22.   
      
   QRP Fox Hunt , Nov 20, 0200z to Nov 20, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST +   
   (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: November 19.   
      
   NCCC Sprint , Nov 20, 0230z to Nov 20, 0300z; (see rules); Bands: (see rules);   
   Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: November 22.   
      
   YO International PSK31 Contest , Nov 20, 1600z to Nov 20, 2200z; PSK31; Bands:   
   80m Only; YO: RST + Serial No. + County, non-YO: RST + Serial No. + Country;   
   Logs due: December 5.   
      
   SARL Field Day Contest , Nov 21, 1000z to Nov 22, 1000z; CW, SSB, Digital;   
   Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RS(T) + Number of transmitters + Category   
   (see rules) + Province (or "DX"); Logs due: see rules.   
      
   LZ DX Contest , Nov 21, 1200z to Nov 22, 1200z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20,   
   15, 10m; LZ: RS(T) + 2-letter district, non-LZ: RS(T) + ITU Zone No.; Logs   
   due: December 22.   
      
   All Austrian 160-Meter Contest , Nov 21, 1600z to Nov 22, 0700z; CW; Bands:   
   160m Only; OE: RST + Serial No. + District Code, non-OE: RST + Serial No.;   
   Logs due: December 31.   
      
   Feld Hell Sprint , Nov 21, 1700z to Nov 21, 1859z; Feld Hell; Bands: 160, 80,   
   40, 20, 15, 10m; (see rules); Logs due: November 28.   
      
   NA Collegiate ARC Championship, SSB , Nov 21, 2100z to Nov 23, 0300z; SSB;   
   Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Serial No. + Precedence (Q/A/B/U/M/S) + [your   
   call sign] + Check + ARRL/RAC Section; Logs due: December 8.   
      
   RSGB 2nd 1.8 MHz Contest, CW , Nov 21, 2100z to Nov 22, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160m   
   Only; UK: RST + Serial No. + District Code, non-UK: RST + Serial No.; Logs   
   due: December 8.   
      
   ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, SSB , Nov 21, 2100z to Nov 23, 0300z; SSB; Bands:   
   160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Serial No. + Precedence (Q/A/B/U/M/S) + [your call   
   sign] + Check + ARRL/RAC Section; Logs due: December 8.   
      
   SKCC Sprint , Nov 25, 0000z to Nov 25, 0200z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15,   
   10m; RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./power); Logs due:   
   November 27.   
      
   Phone Fray , Nov 25, 0230z to Nov 25, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m;   
   NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: November 27.   
      
   CWops Mini-CWT Test , Nov 25, 1300z to Nov 25, 1400z, Nov 25, 1900z to Nov 25,   
   2000z, Nov 26, 0300z to Nov 26, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m;   
   Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs   
   due: November 28.   
      
   UKEICC 80m Contest , Nov 25, 2000z to Nov 25, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80m Only;   
   4-Character grid square; Logs due: November 25.   
      
   RSGB 80m Club Sprint, CW , Nov 26, 2000z to Nov 26, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80m   
   Only; [other station's call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name]; Logs   
   due: December 3.   
      
   NCCC RTTY Sprint , Nov 27, 0145z to Nov 27, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules);   
   Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: November 29.   
      
   NCCC Sprint , Nov 27, 0230z to Nov 27, 0300z; (see rules); Bands: (see rules);   
   Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: November 29.   
      
   CQ Worldwide DX Contest, CW , Nov 28, 0000z to Nov 30, 0000z; CW; Bands: 160,   
   80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RST + CQ Zone No.; Logs due: December 4.   
      
   QRP Fox Hunt , Dec 2, 0200z to Dec 2, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST +   
   (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: December 3.   
      
   CWops Mini-CWT Test , Dec 2, 1300z to Dec 2, 1400z, Dec 2, 1900z to Dec 2,   
   2000z, Dec 3, 0300z to Dec 3, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m;   
   Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs   
   due: December 5.   
      
   VHF+ CONTESTS   
      
   ARRL EME Contest , Nov 28, 0000z to Nov 29, 2359z; CW, Phone, Digital; Bands:   
   50-1296 MHz; Signal report; Logs due: January 1.   
      
   LOG DUE DATES   
      
   19 Nov - 2 Dec 2015   
      
   November 19, 2015   
      
    *  NRAU 10m Activity Contest   
    *  QRP Fox Hunt   
      
   November 20, 2015   
      
    *  Phone Fray   
      
   November 21, 2015   
      
    *  QRP Fox Hunt   
    *  CWops Mini-CWT Test   
      
   November 22, 2015   
      
    *  High Speed Club CW Contest   
    *  NCCC Sprint   
    *  NCCC RTTY Sprint   
    *  EANET Sprint   
    *  Run for the Bacon QRP Contest   
    *  NAQCC CW Sprint   
      
   November 23, 2015   
      
    *  DARC 10-Meter Digital Contest   
      
   November 24, 2015   
      
    *  ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, CW   
    *  NA Collegiate ARC Championship, CW   
      
   November 28, 2015   
      
    *  Feld Hell Sprint   
      
   November 29, 2015   
      
    *  OK/OM DX Contest, CW   
      
   November 30, 2015   
      
    *  WAE DX Contest, RTTY   
    *  10-10 Int. Fall Contest, Digital   
    *  Classic Exchange, CW   
    *  Classic Exchange, Phone   
      
   December 1, 2015   
      
    *  CQ-WE Contest   
      
      
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   ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS   
      
   ARRL Contest Update wishes to acknowledge information from WA7BNM's Contest   
   Calendar and SM3CER's Contest Calendar.   
      
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   )\/(ark   
      
   "So let me ask you a question about this brave new world of yours. When you've   
   killed all the bad guys, and when it's all perfect, and just and fair, and   
   when you have finally got it exactly the way you want it, what are you going   
   to do with the people like you? The trouble makers. How are you going to   
   protect your glorious revolution from the next one?"   
   - The twelfth Doctor   
      
   ... America, the melting pot. Heat it up and the scum rises to the top.   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)